Chapter 2
Manyata was rehearsing for her dance performance to be held in Chicago. Soni, a member of the dance troupe walked to Manyata and said, "Bas kar Manyata. Din ko 15 hours ka rehearsel karti hai. Kahin performance k pehle teri tabiyat hi naa kharaab ho jaaye". Manyata finsihed her dance rountine and grabbed a towel to wipe her sweat. Manyata said, "Shubh Shubh bol! Agar kucch bura ho gaya na, toh tujhe hi dosh dungi, Haan Nahi Toh". Chikki joined them and said, "Kyun karti ho itni practice"(mimicking Chandramukhi's dialogue from Devdas film). "Hattt, nautanki", said Manyata and hit Chikki gently. Manyata drank water and said with dreamy eyes, "Mujhse zyaada khush kismat kaun ho sakta hai jo apne sapne ko jee sake. Aur yeh waale show ko toh hit hona hi hai, baaki saare shows se kahin zyaada isiliye main mehnat karna chhodh nahi sakti, Haan Nahi Toh". Soni laughed and said, "Mujhe toh bura lag raha tere pati k liye. Tu toh apne sapne ki ratt mein usse bhool hi jaayegi". "Please, shaadi baat mat hi kariyo", retorted Manyata. "Kyun nahi?", came a voice. Everyone turned to look at Akash. Akash Verma was their show manager. Akash had good relations with all the dancers. He was nice and caring towards everyone but harboured special feelings towards Manyata. "Nahi please ab tum shuru mat ho jaana", said Manyata. "Kyun nahi? Tum itni successful ho, khoobsurat ho, talented ho aur tumhari shaadi ki umrr ho chali hai. Ab toh tumhe ek acche ladke ko dekh k settle ho hi jaana chahiye", said Akash. "Please main itni bhi buddhi nahi hoon", said Manyata. "Hum dhoondhe gein. Tumhe kaisa ladka chahiye, Manyata?", asked Soni. Everyone could see Akash's feelings towards Manyata except for Manyata. Chikki winked at Akash and told Manyata, "Mujhe pata hai, koi sincere, hard working, liberal aur caring banda". "Maine itna socha nahi", said Manyata looking at her practice video to find out the flaws. "Matlab agar sochti toh", said Soni snatching away the laptop. "Oye, waapis kar", said Manyata. "Nahi pehle batao. Kaisa ladka chahiye", asked Soni. Manyata rolled her eyes and said, "Jo Chikki ne kaha woh ditto, ab de naa mera laptop". Chikki asked, "Matlab Akash jaisa?". Manyata was embarassed and Akash blushed. "Thappad khayegi tu", said Manyata in anger and snatched her laptop back. Soni and Chikki giggled and ran for their dear lives. Manyata frowned and apologized to Akash, "Sorry, yeh log kucch bhi bakte hain". "Sorry matlab mujh mein woh saare qualities nahi hain", asked Akash mischieviously. Manyata defended, "Maine aisa kab kaha, tum toh woh sab ho aur uss se kahin zyaada". "Matlab yeh hai toh phir sorry kyun kaha? Toh main hun ya nahi", asked Akash mischieviously. Manyata didn't know how to put it, "Main,...Matlab...tumein saari qualities hain...Chikki ne jo baad mein kaha woh nahi...matlab". Akash was enjoying putting Manyata in a spot. Just then, Manyata's cell rang, rescuing her. Manyata saw her father's number flash and excused herself saying, "Papa ka phone".
Manyata received the call and chirped, "Papa!". "Kaisi hain humari Princess", asked Brijraj happily. "Woh Mumbaiya style mein kehte hain na, ek dum Rapchik Rapchandus", said Manyata and both Brijraj and Manyata burst out laughing. "Main bilkul heek hun bas aap sab ko miss karti hoon", said Manyata taking a seat. "Hum bhi aapko bohot miss karte hain, Beta. Par yeh soch k khud ko rok lete hain ki aapki khushi mein hi humari khushi hai", said Brijraj. Manyata was humbled and said, "Bas Papa, rulayenge kya? Maa aur baaki sab kaise hain?". Brijraj said, "Woh sab theek hain, Beta". Brijraj became silent for a while to gather himself, Manyata sensed something serious and didn't utter a word. "Manyata hum aapse bohot zaroori baat krna chahte hain", said Brijraj. "Kahiye na", encouraged Manyata. "Aap k liye ek bohot accha rishta aaya hai", said Brijraj. Manyata was dumbfounded. "Humne toh socha bhi nahi tha lekin rishtey ki baat saamne se aayi. Beta, aap vishwaas nahi karengi Giriraj ne khud aapki aur Udayveer k rishtey ki baat chhedi". Manyata was shocked but she uttered, "Udayveer", softly so that her father couldn't sense her disappointment. "Haan Beta! Aapke bacchpan k dost Udayveer! Sacch kahen toh isse accha rishta toh hum kabhi dhundh bhi nahi sakte the. Udayveer ne iss ghar k bete ki hi tarah hum sab ka saath diya hai aur khayal rakha hai. He is the perfect gentleman and true royal", added Brijraj. The word "perfect" and "True royal" made Manyata nervous. "Papa, Udayveer ne iss baarein mein kya kaha", asked Manyata slowly. "Wahi toh baat hai, aap dono miley nahi toh koi jawaab kaise aa sakta hai? Baat aage badhne k liye aapka ek doosre se milna aur waqt guzarna zaroori hai. Issiliye hum chahte hain aap jitni jaldi ho sakein ghar waapis aa jaayein", replied Brijraj. Manyata was pinched badly by Brijraj's last sentence, she closed her eyes for a moment. Brijraj continued, "Aapko itna achanak bulana humein bhi sahi nahi lagta, pata nahi aap free hongi bhi yaa nahi. Par Beta, aap ke liye Udayveer se accha jeevan saathi mil hi nahi sakta, issiliye hum aapke aane pe zor de rahe hain. Aur waise bhi humne Giriraj se waada kiya hai ki do dino mein unke ghar k pooja mein aap zaroor aayengi, aap aayengi naa", said Brijraj. Manyata took a deep breath and put on a smile. Manyata said, "Yeh bhi koi poochne ki baat hai. Main kal tak pohonch jaungi". Brijraj was overjoyed and said, "Humne yakeen tha humari Beti humein kabhi niraash nahi karegi". Manyata's smile broadened hearing Brijraj and asked, "Aapko Udayveer accha lagta hai na?". Brijraj replied, "Kisi bhi ladki k liye ek sapne se kum nahi hai woh ladka, aur yahan toh yeh rishta saamne se chal k aaya hai". "Toh phir aapki choice se better kucch ho hi nahi sakta", said Manyata. "Aapne humein bohot badi khushi di hai, Manyata", said Brijraj. "Main aane ki taiyarri karti hun, Papa. Rakhti hun", said Manyata. "Jaldi aaiye, Beta", said Brijraj and ended the phone call. Manyata took a deep breath and her smile disappeared.
Manyata walked upto Akash and said "Mujhe kucch zaroori baat krni hai". Soni and Chikki started their usual teasing. "Uff itni tadap uss se baat krne ki", remarked Chikki. Akash also played along and said, "Thodi derr baad baat ho sakti hai kya". Manyata said in a firm voice, 'Mujhe abhi baat karni hai". Soni teased, "Haan Akash, yeh ek Princess ka aadesh hai". Soni and Chikki laughed doing high fives. Chikki said, "Nahi Manyata, pehele Akash humari baat sunega phir tumhari". Akash said teasingly, "Aapko wait krna padega Princess". Manyata was frustrated and said in a firm tone, "Main Chicago nahi jaa rahi. Mujhe replace kr dena". Everyone was shell shocked. "Main aaj raat ki flight se ghar waapis jaa rahi hoon", added Manyata. Manyata picked up her belongings are left the hall. Akash went behind her and asked, "Yeh sab achanak? Sab theek toh hai". Manyata walked with pace and replied, "Sab kucch planned thodi naa hota hai. Aur fiqr mat karo sab theek hai". Akash increased his speed to catch up with Manyata and asked, "Kum se kum yeh toh batao kyun jaa rahi ho". Manyata threw a reply, "Personal reasons". Akash came in front of Manyata and Manyata stopped. "Kum se kum yeh toh batao ki waapis kab tak aa rahe ho". Manyata frowned and replied, "Pata Nahi". "Yeh kya baat hui Manyata? Tum ek professional ho. Tumse toh aisi behavior ki umeed nahi ki thi. Yeh kaisa attitude hai?", asked Akash frustrated. Manyata calmed down and replied, "Papa, ne mujhe waapis bulaya hai". "Aur tumne unhe nahi kaha ki tumhara ek bohot hi important show hai, jiske liye tumne din raat mehnat ki hai? Tumhare pariwaar ko tumhari passion ki parwaah hai ya nahi?", asked Akash. Manyata replied, "Pehle toh, please calm down! Mere pariwaar se zyaada mere sapno ki koi bhi qadar nahi kar sakta. Rajwaade hone k baad bhi unhone ne mujhe aam si zindagi jeene di, apne sapno ko poora krne ka har mauka diya, kabhi bhi riyaasaton k kaam ya rajwaade hone ka koi pressure nahi diya. Papa ko toh yeh sab pasand bhi nahi, lekin unhone phir bhi apne zubaan se ek bhi aisa shabd nahi nikala, jis se yeh zaheer ho sake. Aur aaj jab woh mujhe ek pitaah hone k naate apne nirnay(decision) mein mera saath maanga toh main unhe mana kr dun yeh keh kr ki apne sapno k peeche bhaagne mein main bohot busy hoon, aapka maan nahi rakh sakti? Wohi sapney, jinhe pankh unhone hi diye the. Main aisa kabhi nahi kar sakti". Akash said, "Agar woh tumse itna pyaar krte hain toh woh tumhari baat samjhenge". Manyata said, "Sirf woh hi kyun samjhe? Rishtey ek tarfe nibhaaye nahi jaate, Akash. Maaf karna, Akash par tum kabhi samajh nahi paoge". Akash said, "Ek baar phir soch lo, tumhare reputation par bohot bada daag lag sakta hai". Manyata smiled and said, "Soch Liya". Manyata tore the tickets to Chicago in her hands. "Tumhe taqleef dene k liye, sorry. Mera jaana zaroori hai", said Manyata and caught a cab and got into it. Akash saw her leave and said to himself, "Pata nahi Manyata tum mujhe kabhi samajh paogi yaa nahi. Main tumhara intezaar karunga".
Meanwhile, Giriraj was in his room when Uday entered saying, "Aap ki har chaal k toh hum fan hain, Dad! Par yeh waali chaal kucch samajh nahi paaye". Giriraj smiled and said, "Aap Manyata se aapke rishtey ki baat kar rahe hain". Uday made himself comfortable on a couch and said, "Ahaan! Hum toh Jai k saath rishta naa krne ki baat kr rahe hain. Dad, Jai ko kaboo mein karna toh chuttki ki baat hai par Manyata ko hum jaante bhi nahi. Jo cheez aasaani se mil rahi thi, apne usse thukra kr muskil raasta kyun chuna". Giriraj smirked and said, "Humara maksad Devgarh ki gaddi hi hai, aur hum yeh bhi jaante hain ki Jai aapke kaboo mein aasaani se aa sakti hai. Lekin hum bohot puraane shatranj k khiladi hain, Beta. Hum Brijraj ko bohot acchi tarah se jaante hain, chahe Jai Devgarh ka chehra kyun na ban gayi ho leking Devgarh ki gaddi humesha se unki laadli, Manyata ki rahi hai". Uday asked, "Dad, agar aisi hi baat hoti toh Uncle Brij, Manyata ko riyaasati maamlon se durr kyun rakhte". Giriraj said, "Pyaar, Udayveer, Pyaar! Ek aisi cheez jo agar sahi waqt par istemaal ki jaaye toh kisi se kucch bhi karwa sakti hai. Ussi pyaar mein andhe ho kr unhone Manyata ko apni marzi chalaane di aur ussi pyaar mein andhe ho kr aaj tak Jai ko Yuvrani ghosit nahi kiya". "Par Dad, Uncle Brij ko Jai ko Yuvrani bana ne k liye manaaya bhi jaa sakta hai na", said Uday taking a sip of the drink he just made for himself. Giriraj reasoned, "Uday, pyaar bohot hi paiychida cheez hai. Brijraj itni aasaani se apni pyaari beti k haq ko Jai ko nahi denge, humare aise kehne se woh humein galat bhi samajh sakte hain Isiliye humne socha agar shaadi hi krni hai toh aapki shaadi ek yuvrani se hi hogi. Agar Manyata aapko apne laayak nahi lagi toh aap mana kr dijiyega, waise bhi humare Bete k liye rishton ki kami hai kya". Uday smirked and nodded in agreement taking a sip.
<Flashback>
For year old Manyata was building a house using playing cards. "Yeh kya kar rahi ho?", asked the 6 year old Uday. "Main ghar bana rahi hun", replied Manyata trying to balance the cards. "Yeh toh aasaani se tutt jaayega", said Uday. "Nahi tuttega", retorted Manyata. Uday sat down and said, "Tutt jayega". "Maine kaha naa nahi", said Manyata aggresively. Uday said mockingly, "Jitna kehna hey kehlo, par sacch nahi badlega". Manyata banged the table in anger and said, "Nahi tuttega kaha naa maine". Just then, with Manyata's applied force, the house made with the cards was idsmantled. Manyata was appalled and let out softly, "Tutt gaya". Uday smiled with arrogance and told her, "Isiliye kehta hoon meri baat maana karo". Uday looked at Manyata who was on the verge of crying, seeing the destroyed house. Uday's expressions changed he was also saddened seeing her like this. He couldn't bear it and stood up and walked away from there. Manyata saw him leave and was disheartened. After some time, Uday appeared in Manyata's room where Manyata was sulking and put a doll house in front of her. Manyata's eyes lit up and a smile formed on her lips. "Yeh lo, tumhara mahal, yeh nahi tuttega", said Uday with a smile. Manyata took the doll house in her hands and said, "Isse Mahal nahi ghar kehte hain". "Mahal kehte hain, Manyata", said Uday. "Ghar", retorted Manyata. Manyata went and got her Barbie doll and placed it in the house. Manyata pouted and looked around. "Ab kya hua", asked Uday. Manyata replied, "Ek princess k saath ek prince hona chahiye warna kahani complete nahi hogi. Mere paas toh prince waali doll hai hi nahi". Uday could not bear to see her disappointed once again, he pulled out a batman figurine from his pocket and handed it to Manyata. Manyata looked at it and said, "Par yeh toh prince hai hi nahi". Uday replied, "Toh phir theek hai", and he was about to take it back when Manyata took it from him. Uday was surprised and asked, "Par yeh to prince nahi hai na?". Manyata replied, "Toh kya hua, yeh tumne diya hai naa toh special hai". Manyata put the batman figurine alongside the Barbie doll. Manyata and Uday looked at the pair. Uday remarked, "Thodi ajeeb jodi hai na". Manyata smiled and said, "Ajeeb hai lekin acchi hai, Haan Nahi Toh!". Uday unconsciously smiled seeing Manyata smiling again.
(Author's Note: Here Barbie depicts a simple and elegant princess who symbolizes all good things in the world, much like what Manyata has grown to become in future. Batman is also known as 'The Dark Knight', much like what Uday has grown to become in future)
<End of Flashback>
Manyata woke up from her nap she was taking in the flight. The announcer informed that the flight will be soon landing in Mumbai. Manyata pushed back her hair trying to calm herself down after getting the flashback of her and Uday's childhood memories and sighed, "Udayveer".
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